Rest-rail for grave-vaults.



C. L. SHERWOOD.

REST RAIL FOR GRAVE VAULTS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.20,1913.

1 9 1 52,853 Patented Sept. 7, 1915.

are a'rnr onto.

CHARLES It. SHERWOOD, OF LONDON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LONDON GRAVE VAULT COMPANY, OF LONDON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BEST-BAIL FOR GRAVE-VAULTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sees. t, 1915.

Application filed January 20, 1913. Serial No. 743,019.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES L. Sunnwooo, a citizen of the United States, residing at London, in the county of Madison and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rest-Rails for Grave-Vaults, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to rest rails for grave vaults and contemplates the provision of an improved structure of rest rail which maintains an amply sufficient rigidity and yet, at the same time, greatly reduces the cost of such rest rails without decreasing the strength of the rails.

Various forms of rest rails have been utilized mostly of a solid structure. Apparent strength and compactness is very desirable in devices of this type and so my invention aims to maintain the appearance of a solid structure, while at the same time substituting a comparatively hollow structure which is of substantially equal strength.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved rest rail showing its application to the base of a burial vault of preferred type, Fig. 2 is a detail of the end of one of my improved rest rails in position in a burial vault, Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of my improved rest rail in its application to a burial vault, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a section of the base of a burial vault disclosing a square aperture therein for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent, and, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the end pieces comprising essential portions of my rest rail.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawing, my improved rest rail comprises end pieces 1 formed by the cooperative construction of the complemental sections 5 and 6, which sections, are desirably held together to form a unitary element by means of the rivet 7 shown particularly in Fig. 5. Both sections 5 and 6 of the end piece 1 are provided with lugs 2 apertured as at 3 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Further, these end pieces carry heads 4 of a pe culiar formation, peculiar, in that there is formed a longitudinally extendingv groove 9 with an intervening slot as shown at 10 and right angularly projections 5 and 6 These end pieces are desirably of ornamental configuration and afiord a rigid support for T-shaped cross bars 11 supported at their ends in the grooves 9, with their shanks depending into the slots 10. The T-shaped cross bars 11 are preferably of a form and size to fit with their heads flush in the grooves 9. It will be seen that this produces, as the essential framework of a rest rail made in accordance with my invention, spaced end pieces and spanning T-rails. Supplementary to this structure and forming an apparently solid rest rail are curved side pieces 12 and 13 which fit against the ends of the sections of the end pieces 1 and are locked against lateral movement by lugs 14 formed thereon. The structure of the body portion of my rest rail is rendered complete by the provision of a capping element 15 which rests upon the T-rail 11 in a manner so that its sides depend slightly below the flanges 16 and 17 of the end pieces and so that the angular projections 5 and 6 are embraced to prevent its accidental removal. It will be apparent from this, that my improved rest rail is possessed of a massive appearance and yet is in reality of a hollow structure, although it will be equally apparent that it is not lacking in sufficient strength to fulfil the purposes for which it is designed.

The rest rail structure is desirably maintained in place within a tray-like base 25 of the vault by means of bolts 26 passing through vertical apertures 27 formed in the bases of both sections 5 and 6 of the end pieces in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and through square apertures 28 in the base of the tray-like structure. These bolts 26 are of peculiar formation, in that their heads are rounded as at 29 and a portion of their shanks are squared as at 30 to conform to the contour of the apertures 28 in the tray-like base. The purpose of this is to preclude a removal of the bolts from the outside of the structure and a consequent release of the rest rails and the latch elements which they carry.

In'assembling, the end pieces are desirably secured in position upon the base 25 by clamping. through the medium of the bolts '26 and the T-rails are then mounted to rest in the grooves 9 of such end pieces. The side strips 12 and 13 being in position, the cap 15 is then mounted upon the structure and the rest rail is then in condition.

What I claim, is: a

1. In combination with the base of a burial vault, an independent rest rail comprising end pieces inwardly mounted along opposite edges of said base, and a supplemental structure spanning the distance between said: end pieces.

- 2. In combination with the base of a burial vault, a rest rail comprising end pieces inwardly mounted along oppositeedges ofsaid base, a cross-bar extending between each pair of end pieces, and a sheet metal structure extending between each pair of opposing end pieces.

' 5. In combination with the base of a burial vault, arest rail comprising end pieces inwardly mounted along opposite edges of said base, rearwardl-y projecting lugs on said end pieces, a cross bar extending" between each pair of opposing end pieces, and a sheet metal structure extendburial vault, a rest rail comprising end pieces rearwardly extending lug formations on the vertical edges of said end pieces, re 1 movable side pieces secured between the end pieces and interlocking with said lugs, a cross bar between each pair of end pieces and supported thereby, and a cap member adapted to cover said cross bars.

8. In combination with the base of a burial vault, a rest rail comprising end pieces, said end pieces being formed of two complemental sections rigidly held together, rearwardly extending lugs from the rear vertical edge of each of said sections, side pieces spanning the distance between each pair ofend pieces and interlocking with said lugs, a cross bar for each pair of end pieces, and supported thereby, and a cap member adapted to cover said cross bar.

9. In combination with the base of a burial vault, a rest rail comprising end pieces, an independent structure spanning the distance between each pair of end pieces, and means for permanently attaching said end pieces only to the base of the vault.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. CHARLES L. SHERWOOD.

Witnesses:

WALTER E. S. Boon, A. L. PHELPS.

. Copies or this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. i 

